Cincinnati Reds activate Jesse Winker, place Tyler Naquin on 10-day IL

The seven-series losing streak the Cincinnati Reds are riding at the moment has them backed into the corner and fighting for their playoff lives, but as of today, they’re officially getting back one of their leaders.

The Cincinnati Reds have officially activated OF Jesse Winker off the 10-day IL after a month on the sidelines, giving them back their All Star and lefty thumper. His absence might not have been the lone reason this offense has slumped mightily over the last few weeks, but his presence sure does a ton to reinforce that idea, at least.

Of course, the roster move required to open up a spot for Jesse adds a bit of a gut punch to the equation, too, as Tyler Naquin will head to the 10-day IL (retro to Tuesday) to make way. He’s got bruised ribs, the bang-up occurring in the ugly collision with Jose Barrero in the outfield earlier in the week that was one of the more scary incidents to watch in recent memory. Naquin has been streaky this year, to be sure, but he was rather hot at the time of his injury and had been one of the bats helping to fill the void left by Winker in the first place.

Whether or not it will be enough to lift the Red back into a playoff spot, I do not know. I do not know just how 100% ready Winker is, either, considering he just spent a quick three days with AAA Louisville and went 0 for 5 in a pair of rehab games played. Still, this is Jesse Freakin’ Winker we’re talking about, he of the .955 OPS and 141 OPS+ this year, and I’d rather roll my dice with him than without him.

Welcome back, Lionel Jesse.